Brazilian inquiry of oncology nutrition (#537)

Hospital malnutrition is high in cancer patients and associated with increased morbidity and mortality.The patient generated subjective global assessment(PG-SGA)is a simple,no-cost,relatively fast screening, which is considered the gold standard nutritional evaluation in cancer patients.

Aim:Assess the nutritional status nationwide of cancer patients with tumors of different locations and correlate with history of weight loss, reduced intake, decreased activity of daily living and the presence of pain.

Methods:Trained nutritionists evaluated 4822 patients with cancer who were hospitalized in 45 hospitals in 17 states of Brazil, during the month of November 2012, through the PG-SGA. The sample comprised 14% of all cancer patients who were hospitalized in Brazil Health System in that period. All patients signed an informed consent.

Results:Mean age was 58.0±13.1 years, 56.8% were male, 43.2%female and 29% of elderly people. 45%were with nutritional risk or moderate malnutrition (B, n=1608) or were severely malnourished (C, n=568). Individuals with esophageal tumors (B=41.2% and C=36.7%) and stomach (B=47.0% and C=26.3%) had been recognized with a higher frequency of malnutrition(>73%) than those with tumors in other sites (p=0.000).These individuals also had a higher prevalence of weight loss and intake reduction (p=0.000).Cancer promoted decrease in quality of life with reduction in daily activities in more than 54% of patients and 16% reported pain. These changes were evaluated as statistically more significant (p=0.000) in those patients with liver tumors, pancreas and biliary tract, and the lung and thorax tumors when compared to other locations.There was a strong correlation between the presence of malnutrition and history of weight of loss, reduced intake, decrease on daily activity and pain (p=0.000).

Conclusions:Cancer brings a great impact on the nutritional status and quality of life. Abdominal, head and neck tumors are more debilitating than tumors at other sites. Cancer patients should be screened on admission for early intervention.